May 17th, 2024
in an empty hire van heading for
home
moving job done
Martha to Manchester
the start of something better

and we’re making good time
I’m hardly trying
any quicker’s technically flying

but then … not
cars, lorries, EVERYTHING stopped
the motorway a parking lot

time passes
in a convoy of yawns
and stationary sunglasses

drivers get out
straining to see what the nothing’s about
uncertainly birthed
on the tarmac earth
in comfort onesies and business skirts
overalls, trainers, ties and shirts
from ETA to absolute nought
surviving on the last of the M&Ms they bought
while the traffic in the northbound stretch
rushes back to the life they left

how suddenly
how completely everything changes
routes into roots
the wind winding through a field of wheat
a baby in a woman’s arms
life barely begun
laughing at the line of cars
reaching for the sun